This is tough fight to pick. Both guys are good fighters, but if Gamboa comes in tip-top shape and had good sparring, I pick him to win. Crawford is understandably the favorite going into this fight at about 1.5-1 favorite. Gamboa, if motivated can score a 8-4 decision over Crawford and could possibly knock him out. Crawford has fought bigger men and he does take a few rounds to get going like he did against Burns, so the speed of Gamboa could affect him early and probably into the mid-rounds. He will have the advantage in the later rounds though, when Gamboa starts to fade and get more careless. Fight can go either way, but I favor Crawford slightly at the moment. I'll have a harder stance during the weigh-in.
What about the size difference? Crawford has 2.5 inches in height and 5 inches in overall arm length. Gamboa does seem to have alligator arms. How much do you guys this will be a factor?
What do you guys reckon crawfords reach is at? Just was watching part of crawford burns and they said 73 inches.... Boxrec lists 70 inches... I find it hard to believe it is 73 inches... I could be wrong though.
Crawford has a consistent fast stiff Jab along with a huge reach advantage and that's something Gamboa has never seen in his Pro career yet. Gamboa will get dropped multiple times and i got Crawford by UD, but i wouldn't be shocked if he KO Gamboa with a counter knowing how reckless he gets.
I say Gamboa by UD. He's more talented, and Crawford hasn't faced anyone on Gamboa's level. I'm honestly surprised by the poll. Damn, people have fallen right out of the Gamboa express. Hard to believe the guy has any fans now...
Crawford outpoints Gamboa 8-4 or 9-3. Gamboa is a wasted talent at this point thanks to only fighting once a year in his prime.
Right on brother, I agree with you. People are like waves as they come and go. Don't worry, all it takes is one excellent performance by Gamboa to get all those fans back. Gamboa acknowledges that this is a very important fight as he hasn't been in action for a long time and this is his great chance at not only winning a major belt back but also to show the world that he is still " El Ciclon de Guantanamo ". Gamboa by mid to late TKO/KO. :good
Good point. Gamboa said in a recent interview that he's always been the " smaller guy " in most of his bouts in Cuba. He said that he has adapted quite well to tall fighters since most of the other Cubans were also taller than him. He also said that he actually likes fighting taller guys, it could be because of his huge confidence against them!